About Me

Friday, October 30, 2009

After a 30 minute interview (approx.) of Greece Town Supervisor John Auberger, two things continue to trouble Lonsberry about Auberger's administration:

1) - Auberger's failure to provide oversight that resulted in both GPD and assessor's scandals
2 ) - Auberger hired Gary Pignato into GPD despite background information that documented Pignato had previously hired a transvetite to perform oral sex on another police officer from RPD at that other officer's birthday party. Auberger claims he hired Pignato based upon recommendations, including those from Bob Duffy which later appear to have been falsified by former Sgt. Trowbridge.

LONSBERRY IS ATTEMPTING TO ARRANGE A DEBATE BETWEEN MALONEY & AUBERGER FOR MONDAY. WILL AUBERGER ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE?

I found it interesting on how Lonsberry noted the inconsistencies regarding Auberger's sense of morality: on 1 hand, wanting town prayer; on the other, allowing the hiring of Pignato after reading the report of the transvestite issue in his file. Lonsberry was correct to call him on that. He further stated that at the very least, Auberger should've made his name known at a Board meeting as OPPOSING the hiring of Pignato because of that behavior.

I thought Dan Maloney did an outstanding interview offering up facts to the listener and gave excellent reasons for voting for him. He also said that he is not going to fire everyone at Town Hall because there are a lot of good people doing their jobs, and he needs to start his job from the ground running--it's Auberger he's "gunning for".

Now let's see if Auberger makes himself available for an in-studio debate on Monday.

Naturally, my ears perked up when I heard a caller ask about the Northgate/Walmart issue. Although Maloney clearly made his views known how he abhors the fact that the big box stores suck the life out of a community selling 90% products from "Godless, communist China", he clearly admits to the fact that the issue has already gone through the courts (and had he been in office, it wouldn't have happened as he prefers stores like K-Mart or Target)....

but again, there has to be a realization here that any specific store has to WANT to relocate to that area.

So I took all this to mean that although he's not favoring WM, the project will be going forward nonetheless.

I'd be happy having the Northgate revitalized in anyway possible--but going by the facts that it was WM who drummed up the plans to relocate there, my position is that it's ok with me. To have that area continually remain an eyesore serves no purpose.

Had Target wanted to go in..that would've been better, but it's not up to any one of us which store WANTS to go in there, pay the taxes and risk success in that location. Based on the 52 yrs I've lived here and seen the comings and goings of several stores there, I have to think WM is the best shot at having longevity (and the other merchants in Northgate feel the same). But if Dan had decided to kill the project, I'd still vote for him and trust in his judgment for a plan that would bring success to Northgate.

I mentioned the WM issue because it was brought up on the Lonsberry show and many people are curious as to "what happens next?".

ps..my reasons for living are right around me everyday, thank you very much :D...and I just got happy news another new grandchild is on the way.

I understand Bilsky has put out a mailer today that claims Moscato's attendance at school board meetings was dismal. This has to be full of lies. I either attended or listened to all the board meetings when he was on the board and I know he was never late, may have left a few times to either go to the bathroom, or once when I know he said he was not feeling well.

Comparing the school board with the town board is like comparing apples and oranges and Bilsky knows it.

In the first place, the school board is a volunteer job unlike the town board which pays a salary.

Secondly, unlike town board meetings that last maybe a half hour, school board meetings have gone on for three or four hours and bathroom breaks do become necessary and sometimes it is necessary to leave early.

Thirdly, town board meetings are once a month, whereas school board meetings are sometimes three a month.

Bilsky knows better, but desprate times call for desperate measures and I suppose he will resort to almost anything at this late date.I was hoping that they would not use their dirty trick in the Ward races, but I guess they will try anything at this point.

Based on the large turnout at those town meetings when the Northgate proposal was being presented to the residents, like it or not, it remains an issue important to people (be it for or against).

Auberger was for the project (as stated on Lonsberry), and people who were for WM were comfortable having him remain supervisor; however, it would be a sad state of affairs if people going to the polls on Tuesday were thinking they still "needed" to keep Auberger just for that reason alone...

Fact remains it's not in his hands anymore (thank God!) and whatever will be will be, and people should put their trust in Dan Maloney to sort things out.

To 5:23PM ~~ If you believe Joe Moscato wasn't dedicated to his position as a BOE member, then I'm wondering if you'd be interested in this bridge I'm trying to sell. It's on slightly used ...

I can attest to the fact that Joe Moscato participated in most BOE meetings during his term in office. Anyone who wants to see evidence for themself can search through the Board of Education meeting minutes during his time in office. I suspect his track record in this regard was no worse than is current BOE member Roger "I Want to get to bed Early" Boily's.

I listened to both interviews today on Lonsberry. I found it interesting that after Auberger finished Lonsberry stated that he could not understand how anyone knowing the history of Pignato, with the stag party fiasco, could vote to appoint him to the Greece Police Department. He said that, of course, Auberger was one vote, but what was more surprising is that the entire board, who had the same information, voted with him.

This is something that most people forget, that the town board is made up of four people supposedly representing their constituents, and each and every one of them without exception or discussion voted along with Auberger.

2nd Ward voters should be reminded that Joe Moscato left the school board just 4 weeks before the end of a three year term so that he was freed of the constraints imposed on any school board member that were preventing him from aggressively pursuing the overturning of the huge giveaway program where former Supt. Walts was granted free total health care for life for himself and his family. Of course Walts was employed in VA before they stopped paying him in Greece. Joe formed the Greece Citizens in Action group and launched a full scale effort to have the outrageous gifting of our money stopped. He could not have done this as a board member. (The current board, which still has rabid Walts supporters on it, recently found a law firm that told them not to fight this battle, just keep paying, forever!)But back to Joe....the listing on Bilsky's flier is no different and decidedly better than many many prior and current board members meeting track record. And Joe experienced severe medical issues with his back during some of that time. Just recently one board member disappeared without reason for many many meetings. Republicans didn't care about that. Some items listed were where Joe refused to attend the executive session but attended the public meeting that followed. This was in protest that the executive session topics were illegally presented when the law states those topics must be discussed in public meetings. And of course there are the seat-warmer board members who have to be shaken out of their stupor and reminded how Roger Boily wants them to vote. Present in body but no mind to be found. Joe Moscato was a board member who was on top of every issue and every discussion and worked diligently to represent kids and taxpayers. There aren't too many like him. Joe will represent the 2nd ward on Town Board with the same enthusiasm, intelligence, savvy and dedication that has characterized his public service for decades. 2nd Ward residents should ask themselves "what has Bilsky done other than keep his rubber stamp clean and ready to say yes to whatever Auberger asks for. His performance in representing 2nd ward residents is a joke. Name one thing, one initiative, one creative idea that he has had in 8 years on town board. I'll be waiting a long time for that answer!